'A lot of positives' as Halkirk United get back on track with victory over Bonar
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Halkirk United got back on track on Wednesday night with three points and a clean sheet against Bonar Bridge on the artificial surface at Alness.
The Anglers' 2-0 victory in the North Caledonian League came four days after they had lost by the same scoreline at home to Alness United.
Manager Ewan McElroy's only minor regret was that the team didn't add to the first-half goals from Stuart Campbell and Aaron McNicol.
The opener came after 17 minutes when a cross by Innes Mackintosh was left by James Mackintosh and slotted home by Campbell.
The Anglers doubled their lead on 36 minutes with an athletic leap and header by McNicol following another Innes Mackintosh delivery.
"It was a really good performance," McElroy said.
"The boys were disappointed with themselves after the weekend's performance and started with a real purpose and drive. It’s exactly what we wanted to see.
"We had a really young midfield trio that started in Ethan Kevill (17), Grant Aitkenhead (22) and Aaron Wilson (22) and I thought they were super, in particular in the first half. They were full of energy, moved the ball really well and never gave the opposition time to settle.
"We had Bonar on the back foot for most of the game. The surface really suited us and the only slight improvement would have been to score a few more.
"It’s difficult to play Saturday/Wednesday and we have a number of midweek games still to play. I thought the boys acquitted themselves really well.
"There are a lot of positives to take away from it, not just the three points. It was another clean sheet for the back four and goalkeeper, and more minutes under the belt for an impressive Kuba Koziol and Hasheem Bremner who have only recently returned from injury."
The Anglers are at home to Clachnacuddin "A" on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Invergordon are just one win away from regaining the title after Blair Morrison's stoppage-time goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Clachnacuddin "A" at Grant Street Park in midweek.
Results – Saturday – North Caledonian League: Bonar Bridge 3, Thurso 4; Halkirk United 0, Alness United 2; Inverness Athletic 2, Fort William 3; Orkney 5, St Duthus 3. North Caledonian Cup, quarter-final: Golspie Sutherland 1, Loch Ness 2.
Wednesday – League: Bonar Bridge 0, Halkirk United 2; Clachnacuddin "A" 0, Invergordon 1.
Fixtures for Saturday, March 23 – North Caledonian League: Fort William v St Duthus; Golspie Sutherland v Orkney; Halkirk United v Clachnacuddin "A" (1pm); Inverness Athletic v Invergordon; Thurso v Loch Ness (1pm).
The chairman of Strathspey Thistle has said that a potential merger with North Caledonian League outfit Loch Ness is dead in the water.
Talks had been planned for Monday this week to explore in more detail the tie-up between the Grantown-on-Spey Highland League club and Loch Ness but were cancelled.
Jags chairman Donly McLeod said: “The merger is definitely off but Strathspey Thistle will continue to move forward.”
The Seafield Park club had confirmed that Loch Ness founder Shane Carling had been invited to a meeting in Grantown to continue talks, following a Strathspey management committee meeting last week.
On paper, the move looked like it would benefit all parties.
Loch Ness won the 2022/23 North Caledonian League but would struggle to find the finance to obtain their own ground – a prerequisite for Scottish FA licensing to become eligible to play in the Highland League.
Strathspey Thistle, meanwhile, have struggled for results in the Highland League and could have welcomed the fresh impetus from a new manager and squad.
